TROY, N.Y. - The 23rd-ranked Purdue wrestling team posted a 3-1 day at the 2012 Journeymen/ASICS Northeast Duals on Saturday at Hudson Valley Community College. The Boilermakers topped Army (23-12), Princeton (37-6) and Hofstra (32-8), but were edged by 16th-ranked Maryland, 20-19, moving to 7-2 in dual competition this season.

The Boilermakers opened against a tough Army squad, winning seven of 10 duals, including the final four in a row to seal the victory. The Boilermakers started fast behind an 11-0 major decision for junior captain Camden Eppert at 125 pounds, but the Black Knights responded with a fall and sudden victory at 133 and 141 to take a 9-4 edge. Lopouchanski downed 18th-ranked senior Daniel Young at 149 and Churchard outlasted his opponent at 157 to retake the lead for the Boilermakers, but Army answered again at 165 to gain a 12-10 advantage. Freshman Chad Welch spurred a run of four straight at 174 pounds, winning his ninth of the season, and sophomore Patrick Kissel followed at 184 with a 10-2 major decision. Also, freshman Preston Quam made his collegiate debut at heavyweight, earning a 7-3 win.

The second dual of the day was one of the most exciting of the entire event as the contest went back and forth and came all the way down to the wire. It was all Maryland early as No. 13 Shane Gentry came from behind to top Eppert, 5-4, at 125 and 12th-ranked Geoffrey Alexander upset eighth-ranked junior Cashé Quiroga at 133, 9-3. No. 20 sophomore Brandon Nelsen countered for the Boilermakers at 141 pounds, sticking Frank Goodwin at 6:39 to tie the match at 6-6, sparking a run of four straight Purdue wins. Lopouchanski topped Lou Mascola at 149, Churchard reeled off a 12-3 major decision over Brady Massaro and freshman Doug Welch scored a 4-2 win over Josh Snook to make the score 16-6 in Purdue's favor. The Terrapins came roaring back at 174 and 184 as third-ranked Josh Asper scored a 16-4 major decision and 10th-ranked Jimmy Sheptock notched a 17-5 major decision to cut it to 16-14. Atwood put forth a fantastic display in a 11-5 decision over 10th-ranked Christian Boley, building an 11-0 lead before getting caught in a cradle late in the match and giving up five to the Maryland junior. With the score at 19-14 going to heavyweight, Maryland needed a pin from junior Carl Buchholz and they got it as he scored a quick fall over Quam to escape with the team victory.

Purdue responded in strong fashion against Princeton, winning eight of 10 contests, including bonus points at several weights. Nelsen scored his second fall of the day, needing just 2:34 to pin Nick Maselli, and Quiroga rebounded with a 23-6 technical fall over Andrew Hirai. Sophomore Pat Robinson earned his first win of the day impressively, posting an 18-4 win over Judd Ziegler and Eppert notched a 12-3 major decision over Ryan Cash at 125. Atwood and Quam took forfeit victories as well in the rout.

The Boilermakers took it to Hofstra in the day's finale, again winning eight of 10 and forfeiting the heavyweight contest with the team score in hand. Eppert opened the dual with a huge victory, upsetting ninth-ranked senior Steve Bonanno at 125, 5-2, and Quiroga followed with an 8-4 decision over highly touted Jamie Franco at 133. Sophomore Nick Lawrence nearly came up with a major upset of his own as he went all the way to a second tiebreak with eighth-ranked Luke Vaith, but surrendered the win on a stalling point, 4-3. After wins at 149 and 157 for the Boilermakers, things got a little crazy at 165 pounds as Robinson scored a late takedown over sophomore Nick Terdick to take a 3-1 lead, only to have Terdick respond with punches and a consequent disqualification from the official. The Boilermakers picked up six points in the team standings, while the Pride were docked a point for the misconduct. The match concluded with three more wins as Chad Welch and Kissel earned decisions, while Atwood posted his second fall of the year.

The Boilermakers are off next weekend, returning to action Saturday, Dec. 8, at the University of Northern Iowa Open.